Prevention Services Division Director

State of Colorado; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Professional development opportunities

Tuition assistance

11 paid holidays per year

Flexible working arrangements

Free parking

Job summary

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment seeks a visionary leader to oversee the Prevention Services Division, including 250 staff and a $277 million annual budget. You will align programs with department priorities, ensure compliance, and drive performance.

The role requires a Masters in Public Health and at least five years of executive leadership, with experience in public health data interpretation and budget oversight.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Public Health or related field with 5+ years directing a large organization.
• Experience improving population health outcomes.
• Experience with boards, senior executives, or elected officials.
• Experience interpreting public health data.
• Experience with fiscal management of budgets and grants.

Responsibilities

• Oversee Prevention Services Division including 250 staff and a $277M budget.
• Ensure programmatic and operational excellence and compliance with policies.
• Collaborate with executive leadership and cross‑functional partners.
• Foster relationships with local public health agencies.

Skills

Leadership

Public Health

Budget management

Strategic planning

Executive leadership

Risk management

Policy interpretation

Education

Master's degree in Public Health

PhD in Public Health

Job description

This is a nonclassified, at-will position and is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Colorado residents and nonresidents may apply. The selected candidate must establish residency in Colorado.

About CDPHE

At the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, we are charged with protecting Colorado’s health and environment – a responsibility that affects every person and every community in the state. CDPHE is distinctive because we bring public health and environmental protection together under one agency, recognizing that healthy people depend on healthy places. Our teams prevent diseases and injury, respond to emergencies ranging from E.coli outbreaks to global pandemics, reduce air pollution, protect water quality, regulate health facilities, manage environmental hazards, perform advanced laboratory testing, provide birth and death records and implement health promoting programs. We turn science and data into action, set statewide standards, and work alongside local public health agencies and community partners to meet Colorado’s most pressing health and environmental challenges. Working at CDPHE means applying your expertise to complex, consequential work that can improve lives across the state.

Our mission captures this broad portfolio of work: to advance Colorado’s health and protect the places we live, learn, work, and play. Our vision is a healthy and sustainable Colorado where current and future generations can thrive. Achieving the mission and vision takes bold action, talented people, broad partnerships, and a commitment to serving every Coloradan.

Important Information:

• This is a nonclassified, at-will position, and it is not governed by the selection processes of the classified personnel system. Colorado residents and nonresidents may apply. The selected candidate must establish residency in Colorado.
• Please note that this position is at-will, meaning employment is not guaranteed for a specific period and no contract is implied.
• Hybrid work options may be available at the supervisor’s discretion and based on business needs. The position will be based at CDPHE’s office located at 4300 Cherry Creek Drive South Denver, CO 80246.

CDPHE Offers:

CDPHE offers a comprehensive benefits package and the opportunity to build a meaningful career in public service. Benefits include:

• Medical and dental plans.
• Colorado PERA retirement options, including defined benefit plan or defined contribution plan.
• Optional 401(K) and 457 retirement plans.
• Employer-paid life insurance.
• Short- and long-term disability coverage.
• Potential flexible working arrangements
• 11 paid holidays per year and generous paid time off.
• Free parking and access to RTD bus lines.
• Tuition assistance.
• Employee wellness programs.
• Professional development opportunities.
• Career opportunities throughout Colorado state government.

Some positions may qualify for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

About the Prevention Services Division:

The Prevention Services Division is home to programs that have a broad-reaching impact on the population’s health. Prevention programs reduce poor outcomes and save health care costs by intervening early, creating better health and quality of life for our residents. CDPHE is seeking a director to help maximize the impact of these prevention programs. Programs within the division include injury and violence prevention, overdose prevention, food security, health care access, family planning, child and family health promotion, chronic disease prevention and early detection, tobacco control, mental health promotion, suicide prevention, oral health, built environment, evaluation and epidemiology. The mission of the division is to improve population health outcomes through strategic programming.

What You Will Do:

CDPHE is looking for a visionary leader and seasoned public health professional to oversee the department’s Prevention Services Division, including 250 staff and an annual budget of $277 million. The position assures programmatic and operational excellence to improve health outcomes. The position manages compliance and risk, and assures the division follows department policies and meets federal requirements. The position is a key partner to senior leaders, including the executive director and chief medical officer, plus leaders of central functions, such as communications and public affairs, legislative affairs, finance, technology, performance and innovation. The position creates division alignment with department priorities and is a key advisor to department leadership. The position facilitates relationships with partners and constituencies, including local public health agencies.

Key Responsibilities:

• Visioning, planning, and strategic leadership to improve health outcomes
• Division oversight, management, and supervision
• Public relations, public communications, and relationship building with key constituencies
• Risk management, divisional alignment, and collaboration with department executives

Minimum Qualifications:

Combination of Education and Related Experience: A Masters degree in Public Health, or a closely related field combined with:

• At least 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience directing a large organization and supervising staff at an executive level in a public health setting.
• Demonstrated experience producing improved health outcomes on a population level.
• Demonstrated political acumen working as an executive leader for a board, senior executive, or elected official.
• Demonstrated experience in understanding and interpreting public health data.
• Demonstrated experience with fiscal management of budgets and grants.

You must substantiate that you meet the minimum qualifications when filling out the Work Experience section of the application. Failure to do so will result in the application not moving forward in the hiring process. “See resume” will not be accepted. Resumes are considered supplemental information and are not considered in the initial evaluation. In addition, part-time work will be prorated when determining whether minimum qualifications are met.

In order to earn credit for your education to qualify for this position a copy of your transcripts (unofficial acceptable) must be provided with application.

Preferred Qualifications:

In addition to the minimum requirements, the successful candidate in this position will have the following experience.

• Demonstrated experience with strategic planning and performance management.
• Ph.D in Public Health, or a closely related field.

Conditions of Employment:

• Residency requirement: This posting is open to current and non-current residents of the State of Colorado at the application submission. If you are selected and accept the position, you will be required to establish residence in the State of Colorado.
• Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a background check is required for all positions at CDPHE.
• Pursuant to CDPHE policy, a financial check is required for this position.
• Travel: Meetings and conferences across Colorado and to national conferences out of state, including overnight stays are possible, additional travel may be required based on business need.
• Special Qualifications: This position is on call for urgent matters and emergencies based on business need.
• Critical Status: This is a critical position and can be expected to work and/or remain at their worksite in delayed start, early release, or closure situations.
• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of an emergency, (e.g., bio-terrorist attack, chemical attack, disease outbreak or all hazards) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.
• Critical Status: Must be available in the event of the activation of the Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) and be required to report to work immediately at the regular or alternate location. During this time, travel restrictions may be in place.

E-Verify

CDPHE uses e-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.

ADAAA Accommodations

The State of Colorado believes that equity, diversity, and inclusion drive our success, and we encourage candidates from all identities, backgrounds, and abilities to apply. The State of Colorado is an equal opportunity employer committed to building inclusive, innovative work environments with employees who reflect our communities and enthusiastically serve them. Therefore, in all aspects of the employment process, we provide employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, medical condition related to pregnancy, creed, ancestry, national origin, marital status, genetic information, or military status (with preference given to military veterans), or any other protected status in accordance with applicable law. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including completing the application process, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, participating in the employee selection process, and/or to perform essential job functions where the requested accommodation does not impose an undue hardship. If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation to ensure you have a positive experience applying or interviewing for this position, please direct your inquiries to our ADAAA Coordinator at cd [e-mail] or call 303-692-2060, option 5.